Means for curling open-end drums



Dec. 31, 1946. v w. H. WHITE MEANS FOR CURLING OPEN-END DRUMS Filed Nov. 7, 1944 Patented Dec. 31, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

2,413,594 MEANS FOR CURLING OPEN-END DRUMS Wendell H. White, Martinez, Calif. Application November 7, 1944, Serial No. 562,342

This invention, a means for curling the tops of open-'end drums and barrels produces results similar to those produced by conventional curling and wiring dies with relatively shallow shells. The use of wiring dies would not be practical for shells of such great depth as conventional barrels and drums, particularly when the operation is so greatly simplified and when the cost of producing and maintaining the necessary equipment is so low by this new method.

The operation of this invention is carried out through a conventional double seamer or like machine, the same machine used for double seaming heads in barrels and drums, and involves. an attachment for the machine'which completes the true forming of the skirt of the curl simultaneously with the end-curling operation on the end of the shell, and simultaneously with the double seaming of a bottom in the other end of the shell to complete an open-top container in a single operation,

When conventional end-curling rollers are used alone for curling the end of a shell, the top contour of the curl might be satisfactory, but the skirt of the curl will not curl under completely or evenly, and it is virtually impossible to maintain tolerances within close limits.

With this new attachment, the diameter of the curl can be kept within very close tolerances and the curl will be perfectly formed and lapped against the wall of the shell. Furthermore, while with the conventional end curling rolls the curl cannot be wired, with this attachment and method wiring can be carried out just as easily and readily as with a die,,since the attachment will retain the wire hoop in position against the forming end curl and curl the skirt around it.

The objects and advantages of the invention are as follows:

First,-to provide an attachment for a double seaming machine or the like which will assure a perfect curl at the top of an open-end drum or barrel.

Second, to provide an attachment as outlined which will form a perfect curl at one end of a shell while the machine operates on the other end of the shell to seam in a bottom to complete an open-end barrel or drum in one operation.

Third, to provide an attachment as outlined which will operate automatically through control by the machine during normal operation.

Fourth, to provide an attachment which is pneumatically operated for self-adjustment and for control of the forming pressure on its curling roll.

Fifth, to provide an attachment as outlined which will, when desired, enclose a wire within the curl and which will function to retain the wire loop in proper position for sealing within the curl.

Sixth, to provide a means by which the end of a deep shell can be curled or wired through the use of a conventional double seaming machine or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the following description is read on the drawing forming a part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of the movable standard of a double seaming machine showing the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the same standard showing the air lines and control means therefor, and with the upper portion conforming to a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l.

, Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the initial operation of end-curlin as performed by a conventional end-curling roll.

Fig. 5 illustrates the functions of the respective end-curling and skirt-curling rolls and the axial relationship between the grooves in the respective rolls, and shows the point at which this invention takes control of the curl.

Fig.6 illustrates the completion of the operation of curling and wiring.

The conventional double seaming machine has two standards, one of which is fixed at one end of a base, (not shown since it does not form a part of the invention), while the other standard I0 is movable relative to the fixed standard, and along the slideway l I, and this movement is sometimes carried out by a power-driven screw, or, as shown, by means of an air cylinder l2 which is provided with suitable control means.

Each standard carries a rotatable chuck which fits closely inside the shell to be operated upon, or just inside the head which is to be seamed into the shell to form a top or bottom for the. container being assembled, and the two chucks are in axial alignment and synchronously driven.

Each standard also carries slides l3 and M which carry the rolls for the conventional double seamin and similar operations, and these slides are conventionally actuated in one direction through cams l5 and [6 which may be on the same shaft l1, or on separate shafts, and the slides are retracted by means of springs, such as the spring I 8. Adjustment is provided for adjusting the seaming rolls down to the proper position when the slides are depressed, to where the seam will be formed tight and complete. When end curling rolls are used, they are mounted on the movable standard I!) in suitable position to engage the end of the shell as indicated at l9. All elements so far described are conventional equipment and do not form a part of the invention except insofar as those shown lend themselves to the specific operable combinations claimed. The shaft, cams, and one of the slides illustrated, having no connection or functions with the invention, are shown in light lines to distinguish them from the invention and cooperative parts.

The invention consists in replacing the conventional seaming roll in one of the slides bya skirt curling roll, adjusting both slides to their minimum positions to make one inoperative, and pneumatically operating the other slide.

If the double seamer is of the type in which the retracting springs are located above the slides, an anchor arm is fixed in the side of the slide housing 2| as indicated at 22, and. an operating arm 23 is fixed in the slide l4 as indicated at 24 and operates through a slot 25 formed through the side of the slide housing. In some types of machines this is standard construction but the arms are only made long enough and strong enough to accommodate a retracting spring l8 which makes it necessary to substitute longer and stronger bars.

A cylinder 26 is supported by the anchor arm 20 as indicated at 21 and has a piston 28 provided with a piston rod 29 which is connected to the operating arm 23, and a bleeder hole 30 is provided at the lower end of the cylinder to serve as a breather passage. The retracting spring .I& is coupled between the anchor arm and the operating arm and functions to return the slide to itsdlppermost position following a curling operation after the supply of air under pressure is shut off.

Obviously, the cylinder could be secured directly against the side of the slide housing as indicated in Fig. 7 at 3|, with an arm 32 projecting laterally from the upper end of the cylinder to anchor the upper end of the spring i8.

The control system for the cylinder may be of any type which will give proper response and pressure for the curling operation, and is shown as consisting of an air line 33 which is connected to the upper end of the cylinder through a flexible connection 34, and which line is provided with a bleeder valve 35 to be opened when the invention is not being used so as to prevent its interference with normal operation of the double seamer, a pressure regulator 36 for regulating the pressure applied through the curling roll to the forming curl and the shell, 2. shut-off valve to prevent escape of air under pressure when the machine is not in use, and a valve 38 and control means therefor. One method of control is indicated as carried out by a finger 39 which is adjustable along the base portion of the movable standard as indicated at 40, and which cooperates with the valve lever 4|, for exact timing of the slide operation. Obviously the valve 38 may be of the three-way type having an outlet 42 to allow theair to escape from the line and cylinder to aid the automatic valve 43 in freeing the cylinder of air under pressure rapidly when the valve 38 is closed after the curling operation is completed, so as to. promote rapid retraction of the slide by the spring iii.

In operation, the end-curling rolls are operated in the conventional manner since they peri 4 form their conventional functions-that of curling out the end 44 of the shell 45 to the form roughly indicated at 46. These rolls cannot hold the curl to exact form since they are able to control only half of the complete curl, therefore the skirt portion 41 will not complete a true circle and the diameter cannot bekept to any close tolerance.

The shell 45 with the bottom head (not shown) is placed in the machine in the conventional way, the standard In is advanced to where the chuck 48 enters the open end of the shell and the endcurling rolls just engage the end of the shell. As this point is reached, the finger 39 opens the valve 36 to supply air to the cylinder 26 through the line 33 and pressure regulator 36, which air, through the piston 26 forces the slide with its skirt curling roll 49 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 6, but displaced from the end-curling rolls at least sufficient to clear each other. Thus, before the end-curling roll I9 loses control of the skirt portion as indicated at 50 in Fig. 5, the skirt-forming roll is in position to control the form and diameter of the curl as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6.

The axes 5| and 52 of the grooves of the respective rolls I9 and 49 being in axial alignment, and the pressure on the roll 49 being controllable through the pressure regulator 36, the form and tolerances are under absolute control, resulting in a perfect curl. If desired, a wire loop 53 can be placed over the end of'the shell to be enclosed in the curl for a conventional wiring job.

When the curling operation is completed, the skirt-curling roll must be retracted, and one way of carrying out this operation is indicated as consisting of an arm 54 extending upwardly from the finger 39 and which may be moved to the right by hand or ,foot to release the finger from the valve lever, which valve lever, when released, will be drawn to closed position by the spring 55, and if a three-way valve is used, allow the escape of air from the air line 33 and cylinder 2-6 through the outlet 42.

Obviously, "the cylinder can be controlled through the regular control levers and mechanism of the machine, 'or controlled entirely by hand, if desired.

As will readily be understood, a cylinder and piston arrangement, or a slide housing and slide with an air cylinder for operation of the slide, can be made as a unit for attachment to a double seamer, Or to any other type of machine with which it would be capable of performing its intended operations and functions, because the attachment is neither controlled or operated by the cams which normally operate the slides, and because no adjustment is required. It can be made as a unit in which the cylinder forms the housing attachable to. the machine as indicated in Fig. '7, but with the piston elongated and functioning as the slide and carrying the skirt-curling roll. These modifications are not shown, but are superficially described to present anticipated modifications and arrangements.

I claim:

1. An attachment for double seamers having a base and a movable standard, comprising; endcurling rolls for curling the end of a cylindrical shell and supported by said standard, a slide operating at right angles to the axis of the cylindrical shell and guiding means on said standard for said slide; a skirt-curling roll rotatably mounted at the lower end of said slide with its axis parallel to the axis of the shell; a, cylinder having a piston having an operative connection with said slide for urging said skirt-curling roll to curling position on said shell; {and a supply of air under pressure and control means therefor for said cylinder; said control means including a valve, and means for controlling said valve through relative movement of said standard on said base. v

2. Means for use with a double seamer having a base, and a standard movable on said base, and power means for moving said standard on said base; end-curling rolls having a peripheral curling-groove for false wiring the end of a cylindrical shell, and mounted on axes at right angles to the axis of the shell; a skirt-curling roll rotatable on an axis parallel to the axis of the cylindrical shell and having a semi-toroidal peripheral groove with the wall of the groove on one side extended from the axis of the groove a distance equal to one-half of the internal diameter of the curl to be formed and with the axis of the groove located on the circular path of the endcurling rolls and located in the same vertical plane; and pneumatic means for urging said skirt-curling roll to operating position for forming the under side of the curl initially started by the end-curlin rolls; said pneumatic means compensating for any rise required for side seams in the cylindrical shell to prevent distortion of the curl, and control means for said pneumatic means including a supply of fluid under pressure, a valve, and actuating means for actuating said valve through relative movement of said standard on said base.

3. An attachment for double seamers having a base, a standard movable on said base, and power means for moving said standard, comprising; end-curling rolls having each a peripheral curling-groove for the initial operation of false wiring the end of a cylindrical shell, and having their axes at right angles to the axis of the shell; a slide housing on said standard and a slide slidable therein at right angles to the axis of the shell; a skirt-curling roll rotatably mounted at one end of said slide with its axis at right angles to the axes of the end-curling rolls and having a semi-toroidal peripheral groove with one side wall extending from the transverse axis of the groove a distance equal to one-half of the internal diameter of the curl to be formed and adapted to roll on the exterior of the cylindrical shell, and with the circular axis of the groove in the same vertical plane and with the transverse axis coincident with the circular path of the grooves in the end-curling rolls when said side wall is in contact with the exterior of the shell for control of the curl after the end of the curl has passed beyond control of the end-curling rolls; and pneumatic means for actuating said slide, and control means for said pneumatic means and controlled through relative movement of said standard on said base; said pneumatic means compensating for irregularities in the thickness of the wall of the curl.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3; said pneumatic means comprising; a cylinder having a piston and mounted on said standard and having an operative connection to said slide; a supply of air under pressure for said cylinder, and an air line communicating between said supply and said cylinder; a pressure regulator in said line for controlling the pressure to said cylinder; and a. valve for controlling admission and discharge of air to and from said cylinder, and having an operating lever; a spring for retracting said slide;

means on said standard for actuating said operating lever through movement of said standard in one direction and including means for releasing said operating lever manually, and a spring for actuating said operating lever to its initial position when released and a manually-operable shut-off valve insaid line for rendering said slide inoperative by said air supply when said skirtcurling means is not in use.

5. In combination with a double seamer having a base, a standard, and a slide supported by said standard, for normal use in double seaming, false-wiring rolls mounted on said standard for curling the end of a shell; a skirt-curling roll mounted in said slide; an operating arm fixed in said slide and extending through its support; an anchor arm fixed in said slide housing; a cylinder having one end supported by said anchor arm and having a piston having an operative connection to said operatingarm; a spring coupled between said anchor arm and said operating arm for retracting said slide; an air line connecting between said cylinder and a supply of air under pressure; a control valve in said air line for controlling operation of said piston and mounted on said standard, and operating means for said valve, and a pressure regulator in said air line for regulating the pressure of air to said cylinder for regulating the pressure of and cushioning the skirt-curling roll during finish forming of a curl on the end of a cylindrical shell following initial curling by the false-Wiring rolls carried by the double seamer, means on said standard 00- operatively related to said operating means for opening said valve when said standard is moved toward said shell.

6. An attachment for double seamers and the like having a base, a standard slidable on said base, and power means for sliding said standard, a slide mounted on said standard, and means for operating said slide, and means for adjusting said slide to inoperative position, comprising; a cylinder having a piston, means for mounting said cylinder on said standard, and means for operatively connecting said piston to said slide; a supply of fluid under pressure including a supply line for said cylinder, pressure regulating means for said supply line, a manually-operable valve for said supply line, a trigger and adjusting means therefor for mounting on said standard, and a valve for operation bysaid trigger through movement of said standard on said base in one direction to admit said fluid under pressure to said cylinder, said trigger being manually operable to release said valve to close, and means for closing said valve when released; a circular series of end-curling rolls for mounting on said standard for initial curling of the end of a cylindrical shell, with their axes at right angles to the axis of the shell, and each having a semi-toroidal groove with the inner wall of the groove extending beyond the transverse axis to cooperate with the inner periphery of the end portion of the shell, and a skirt-curling roll mountable at the end of said slide with its axis parallel to the axis of the shell and having a semi-toroidal groove with the outer wall of the groove extending to cooperate with the outer periphery of the shell throughout the skirt curling operation, and with the circular axis of the semi-toroidal groove of said skirt-curling roll and the transverse axis of the semi-toroidal grooves of said end curling rolls coincident with the same circular axis having its axis coincident with the axis of the shell.

WENDELL H. WHITE. 

